Schroeder's expands hours

Photo courtesy of Schroeder's

Larkspur resident Andrew Chun and Jan Wing of Kentfield recently re-opened Schroeder's near the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco.  The managing partners remodeled the interior, keeping historical highlights and keeping the comfortable feeling that has prevailed in its last 120 years.  Schroeder's reopened with dinner service in May, and is now open for lunch as well. It's updated hours are:

Monday ­ Friday: 11:30am ­ 10:00pm (Saturday/Sunday closed)

·      Lunch: 11:30am ­- 2:00pm
·      Dinner: 5:00pm ­- 10:00pm

The Lunch menu is here. And the Duck Pastrami Salad (cabbage, rye croutons, mustard vinaigrette, avocado) $15, and Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich (liver, cabbage, pickles, mustard) $14 are having me want to hop in the car and have a taste.

Schroeder's
240 Front St.
San Francisco, CA
(415) 421-4778
www.schroederssf.com

Michael Mina Opens Tonight

Fellow blogging friend Catherine of Albion Cooks and I went to Michael Mina's opening party on Saturday night.  It was a late cocktail party with dancing, nibbles and quaffs.  We arrived early so were there for the beginning and enjoyed speaking with the staff.  It got going in full swing around the time we left at 10:30.  An unnamed drink of kaffir kaffir lime, pineapple gum and Beefeater was the evening's favorite, which our waiter dubbed 'Kaffir Collins' and said it wouldn't stick.

I enjoyed the various nibbles; first being lobster corn dog with mustard aioli and tuna tartar on a crisp toast round which came out on a large white rectangular tray with a stylish waiter who encouraged us to try everything.  I liked the tuna tartar best, it went down smoothly and had a perfect balance of seasonings.

I next tried the crab cake, which was great and had some green color in the interior which I couldn't identify.  It was SO noisy with people enjoying themselves that I couldn't hear what the waiter said the other piece was, a lamb bruchetta? I especially missed the 'lamb' part.  The base was made of lamb and perhaps potato for a soft bed for a little cheese tomato and marinated pepper, I think.  It was an inventive bite.

There was a peanut butter and jelly sweet and crunchy bite too, the flavors were perfectly layered and made a nice finish after multiple savory hors d'oeuvres. Eater also reported on the evening here.  The redone interior with the ironwork and walnut wood was beautiful and I think Michael Mina's will get off to a flying start.

A "Reel" deal

photo credit: McCormick & Kuleto's

I heard about an opportunity for summertime movie fun that comes with a meal at either McCormick & Kuleto's in Ghirardelli Square or Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto in Berkeley at 1919 Fourth Street. Buy an entree at either restaurant and then buy a movie ticket for just $5. The movie tickets purchased at McCormick & Kuleto's are good at AMC Theaters, and those at Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto are good at Regal Cinemas. This "Reel to Reel" promotion is good through the end of September 2010, or while ticket supplies last. And most importantly, the food at either restaurant is good too. I shared about my birthday dinner at McCormick and Kuleto's a surprising nearly three years ago (seems like it just happened!).

Oh, and if you don't have time to use the ticket, you can gift it away.

Fresh in the Financial District

I had a lovely opportunity to have lunch with a former colleague, Lloyd, in San Francisco recently. He had thoughtfully surveyed the area and found a place he thought I hadn't tried, Georges. What a delight! As we met another colleague in the hall before walking to Georges, he approved and told us not to miss the grilled halibut sandwich.

We ordered a couple appetizers, first the grilled asparagus. It was dressed in a Dijon vinaigrette and topped with shaved Parmesan. I was impressed with the intense asparagus flavor and true sense of it coming directly from a grill. It was a great starter.

Next up was the sauteed calamari which I didn't try, and Lloyd said was good.

Lloyd went for the recommended halibut sandwich. It was just as billed. I had a hard time resisting having the same, but I was really attracted by a different sandwich. It was accompanied by some handsome fries.

I had the Dungeness crab roll (I've become very partial to these on anyone's menu these days). The crab roll has dandelion greens and roasted peppers on a brioche roll with a little dish or fresh tomatoes and onions and house made potato chips. I was impressed by how well the roasted red peppers and dandelion greens set off the fresh crab. I would definitely order this again.

The fragrance alone...

Jo-Ann and I were in San Francisco's Japantown a bit back, and had to decide where to have lunch. We went for one of the places Jo-Ann had not yet visited, and I had had previous good experiences with, Miyako Restaurant. It's located just across the street from the Peace Plaza, in a downstairs location.

The Miyako Ramen Combo was a very nice set. Shoyu (soy sauce) ramen, gyoza (pork), California Roll and assorted tempura was a grand meal and it all tasted like the chef was attentive to the flavor and arrangement.

Miso Ramen we knew our meals were coming as the scent of this bowl wafted out of the kitchen as it was brought out and we wondered who was getting something that smelled so good that we exclaimed in unison about it. Jo-Ann loved this ramen meal and we vowed to come back sometime in the near future. The service was attentive and the place was clean and modern. Definitely a place to return to often.

Previously reviewed:

July 11, 2008

Seafood in North Beach

I met my friend Lori for an Italian seafood dinner one evening in December at Sotto Mare in San Francisco's North Beach. It was one of those cold, inky-black nights. The interior was warm, cozy, and well-loved.

We started with the clam chowder, which being hot and creamy was especially satisfying coming in from the cold.

I continued the clam theme with Linguine with Clams. It was perfect. The linguine was perfectly al dente, and the clam sauce was classically good.

Lori chose Prawn Saute which she enjoyed, including the fresh steamed vegetables which were a colorful and delicious accompaniment. I would certainly revisit this restaurant again for it's solidly good food and friendly ambiance.

Delicious Irish

I've been in some very un-tasty Irish places. And some stellar ones, such as Johnny Foley's in San Francisco. I went to meet a couple friends for dinner there, not intending to blog the visit, but the food was so compelling, I just had to document it!

The light was a bit low, but you can still get a good sense of the food that we tried. I had the Fish and Chips. This was Fresh Cod in Lager Batter with Coleslaw, Garden Peas, and Malt Vinegar Aioli. The peas were 'smashed' and it was an interesting texture. Overall, it was great and the portion such that I couldn't finish it.

Larry had the Traditional Style Corned Beef & Cabbage. It came with Mashed & Boiled Potatoes, Buttered Carrots, and Parsley Cream Sauce. The ultimate compliment, Larry said that it compared favorably to his mother's.

Sachiko was fascinated by the Vegetarian Irish Stew. The waiter highly recommended it, and it was stellar. Sachiko gave me a bit to try. The mix of Portabello Mushrooms, Spinach, Asparagus, Barley, Mint, Mashed Potatoes, and Savory Vegetable Broth was heavenly. The service was prompt and friendly and we enjoyed our meal immensely.

Japanese cake

Although it's a Japanese-style cake, I think of this rendition a little bit more like a trifle. Japanese use lightly sweet cake and layer it with a whipped cream type topping/filling and stud it with fresh fruit. Lightly sweet and satisfying. Cakes like these are available in single servings and available at Nijiya Market in San Francisco's Japantown.